Hampton Has Heisman Day In Running Battle With Smith

November 12, 1989|By Mike Dame, Sentinel Correspondent

JACKSONVILLE — Saturday's battle between the Southeastern Conference's top two running backs - Florida's Emmitt Smith and Georgia's Rodney Hampton - figured to be a chance for Smith to end two years of frustration against the Bulldogs.

Instead, the game became a forum for Hampton to display his multiple skills and steal the spotlight from Smith. Hampton rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns and caught two passes for 33 yards to spark Georgia to a 17-10 victory at the Gator Bowl.

But Hampton said the long-awaited matchup between the two backs didn't inspire him to his heroics.

''I didn't look at it like that, because you can't compare me and Emmitt,'' said Hampton, a 6-foot, 215-pound junior from Houston, Texas. ''He's a great running back. The guy's unstoppable. Rodney just wanted to have a good game, that's all.''

In fact, after the game, Hampton said he told Smith, who finished with 106 yards, that ''he deserves to win the Heisman.''

But on Saturday, play after play, Hampton was the one who came through with Heisman-like outbursts. One play in particular broke the Gators' back.

On a third-and-1 at Florida's 44, Hampton found himself in single coverage on the right side, lined up against outside linebacker Godfrey Myles. Hampton moved behind Myles and broke free in the flat as quarterback Greg Talley lofted a 29-yard pass, setting up Georgia's first touchdown.

''We had him quiet for the first three quarters, then boom!, just that quick,'' Florida cornerback Richard Fain said. ''Hampton has great speed, great vision, plus he can catch the football. He showed that on that pass.''

But the play call wasn't an easy one for Georgia Coach Ray Goff in the short-yardage situation.

''When it was called, I was a little scared,'' Goff said. ''I wanted that first down, and a lot of things factor when you throw the ball.''

Hampton said the offense had been working on the play during practice last week.

''It's something we've been working on, trying to get me to the outside, one-on-one with the linebacker,'' Hampton said. ''And I beat him. It was just a great call.''

The play was just a part of Hampton's explosive third quarter, in which he gained 52 yards on eight carries and rushed for his two scores.

Florida's top-rated defense had frustrated Hampton during the first half, limiting him to 40 yards rushing on 12 carries. But the Bulldogs' offensive line resolved to bully the Gators' defensive front in the third quarter to free up Hampton.

''At halftime, we came in and the offensive line told me they were going to open up some holes for me, and in the second half they did a great job,'' Hampton said. ''In the third quarter, I just wanted the ball. When they give me those holes, I feel good.''